Best Sports Movies for Kids

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  My kids and I love The Sandlot! It's classic and wholesome with great characters, story and truly shows what life was like for kids before electronics took over.

Kelly R:  Sports movies are a great way to help teach kids about the importance of teamwork and perseverance, and this one has John Candy!

Katie G.:  Although my kids like to make fun of the 80s style in this movie, it's still a family favorite. You can't help but root for Daniel throughout the entire movie. Also this is definitely a must-watch if you are ready to delve into the popular Netflix series Cobra Kai.

Amanda Banta:  I love this movie! It's a great story, great cast (including a young Ryan Gosling!) and great music.

Kelly R:  The Mighty Ducks is one of the few 90s movies for kids that has made it into our family movie night rotation more than once over the years.

Shila:  Rudy Ruettiger fights his way onto the Notre Dame college football team in Rudy. This motivational story shows audiences of all ages that hard work, preparation, and determination can help to overcome any personal challenge that comes your way.

Dawn Denning:  A team of Looney Tunes enlist the aid of Michael Jordan to play the ultimate game of basketball. Your kids will laugh and learn a lesson in hard work during this fun family movie.

Shila:  "If you build it, they will come," is the popular phrase out of this 1989 family film. An Iowa farmer named Ray builds a baseball diamond on his remote property and witnesses the field truly "come alive."

Shila:  Rookie Of The Year is a sports comedy starring Henry, a 12-year-old little league pitcher who suffered a disappointing accident that left his arm in a cast. Low and behold, his arm healed stronger than ever before - 100 mph fastball strong! This junior high student then gets signed to the Chicago Cubs.

Shila:  Bethany Hamilton lost an arm to a shark attack at age 13, nevertheless, continues to surf competitively and help the world in other ways. Soul Surfer is based on this inspiring true story that reminds us all to seek greater perspective in life.

Kelly R:  An inspiring true story about a ragtag US hockey team facing the unstoppable Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics with the whole world watching. You don't have to love hockey to get swept up in the suspense and excitement of this amazing underdog story.

Shila:  Disney's The Rookie stars Dennis Quaid as Jim Morris, an ex-minor league baseball player who ended his aspiring pitching career due to a shoulder injury. Twelve years later, working as a high school teacher and local coach of the Big Lake Owls, an inspirational deal is made that changes his pursuits.

Shila:  Air Bud is a family movie about a runaway Golden Retriever named Buddy who brings companionship to a 12-year boy struggling with the loss of a parent and navigating middle school. Surprisingly enough, Buddy also happens to be a talented sports player!

Kelly R:  My family loved this movie, which is based on the true story of a disgraced football coach who starts a high school cross country team at the only place that will take him, a mainly Latino school in California's Central Valley. This one flew under the radar for us, and we highly recommend you check it out if you haven't seen it yet! It's one of the best family sports movies we've seen in a while.

Shila:  Set in the 1880's, this 3D computer-animated movie showcases how perseverance, practice, and passion are far more valuable than talent alone. Orphaned and carefree, the two main child characters - one an aspiring ballerina, the other an inventor - are challenged with a variety of adventures along the way to achieve their lifelong goals.